To live in a wooden cabin surrounded by trees with a chimney fuming away the winter cold is a common and marvelous dream, yet one that very little people achieve. It takes one look at the costs of building a log cabin or house to understand why this is such a hard objective to achieve, yet there is an alternative. However, there is an alternative that not only offers the same feeling of a log cabin for much cheaper, but is also quite a home maker. We are talking about log siding, a process through which you can transform your home into the log cabin of your dreams for a fraction of the price.
This might be the first time you hear of what is log siding, but don’t worry! Here is everything you need to know about log siding:
Take A Good Look At your Home’s Exterior
You can take the first step towards turning your home into a log cabin worthy of fairy tales right now by taking the first steps on how to install log siding. Simply go outside and give the exterior of your house a critical inspection before you decide how to make log siding.
As you do this, think about what it would look like as a log cabin, what type of wood do you think would suit it best? Ask around in your area “is log siding expensive”? How much work would it be to replace the material of your walls compared to simply covering it up? What is the climate of the region you live in year-round? If the local climate has damaged the current siding of your house, you will absolutely need to replace it. These might seem like too many questions but it’s best to ask them now rather than to remediate any problems that might come up in the following steps.
Also, keep in mind the types of sidings that need to be replaced and cannot be covered up like:
- Misshapen or Bulging Sidings
- Sidings with poor Installation
- Fiber Cement
- Wavy Insulated Vinyl
By answering these questions and keeping an eye on sidings that are incompatible or damaging to log siding, you will spare yourself from a lot of headaches down the road.
This planning is also very useful in helping you decide whether you are going to hire someone to install the log siding for you or do it yourself.
The Benefits of Log Siding
Now that you know the practical implications of installing log siding for home, it’s time to evaluate what you will be getting in return, that is how it benefits you.
Firstly, we must address the clear aesthetic benefit, as the so-called log siding look delivers the same charming atmosphere of an authentic log cabin.
Secondly, there is also the economic aspect of log siding as it significantly diminishes the construction cost of a house in thousands of dollars. The same applies when you choose opt for log siding for mobile home, too.
There is also the added benefit of practicality, as log sidings are much easier to install than the full logs that come with log cabin kits.
Log kits also require carpenters and a construction company with the correct tools for manipulating them, which can only be done in favorable weather. This, of course, applies for any log siding exterior. However, it can also apply to certain log siding for interior walls, too, so you should always make sure before going ahead with your project.
Besides, log sidings require less maintenance than actual logs, as the latter can shrink and expand according to ambient temperature resulting in cracks.
This also affects the structural stability of your house as the logs shrinking and expanding over the years might cause them to move, which presents a serious risk.
On the other hand, you can install log sidings to your home yourself over the weekend with the help of some essential tools.
The Different Types of Log Siding
Once you have made the decision to install Log Siding in your home, there are a series of choices that become available to you. So many, in fact, that they can seem a little overwhelming. These choices regard log siding dimensions; shape, volume and material – and each comes with its own downsides and benefits. Here is a quick run-through.
Log Siding Shapes
- Half Logs: A simple split log siding that is installed with the flat side facing outwards, giving you the classic “cabin in the woods look”.
- Quarter Logs: Sidings composed of logs chopped into quarters for a thinner veneer, tend to come in a variety of shapes and are generally easier to install.
- D Logs: This log shape is characterized for having a round face with square edges which makes butt-edged installation easier while keeping the authentic look.
- ChinkJoints: In Chink Joints the logs give out the impression of having mortar between them.
- Tong-And-Groove: Logs of this modality were cut to overlap, allowing for a tighter fit and better enveloping.
- Confederate V Joint: This modality has the logs meeting at a sharper angle instead of a round or straight edge, making for a very distinct look.
- Solid and Hollow: Solid log sidings are made of actual milled logs that are installed to the already existing exterior of a home. Meanwhile, the hollow log only gives the appearance of solid wood, while being made of many materials like vinyl and concrete, while allowing for the addition of more insulation material.
Log Siding Materials
One of the most common types of log siding, offering a variety of different woods to choose from that can be milled into different shapes.
A less known option when it comes to log siding, Vinyl does not need painting, nor is affected by the weather, but is very susceptible to temperature.
Made of concrete that was specially engineered to look like wood, it gives out a more authentic look than vinyl, but is really heavy and requires constant washing.
Log Siding Installation
Alright, so you asked yourself “what is steel log siding”, proceeded to do your research and then decided on what type you are ultimately going to use. Having done that, and looked through log siding ideas, you must be ready to start turning you home into a wooden cabin.
If you have decided to leave the existing siding on and just add to it with log siding, inspect it to make sure the installation is solid and remove any loose pieces.
However, if you decided to remove your current siding, remember that, according to dumpster rentals “Bin There Dump That”, removal and ecological disposal of leftover building materials, packings, sub products, and etc. should be handled with extreme care via truck or trailer.
Now, begin by installing the trim around your doors and windows with the appropriate nails, then follow with the corners of the log trim. After this step, you can start installing the logs from the ground up. Make sure to ask “can you paint log siding” at the hardware shop before you go about doing so. Once your work is done, take a step back to admire your new wooden cabin.
Log Siding Maintenance
Congratulations on your major renovation project being completed! Now, all you need to do is ensure that the products of your work endure and don’t fall to the elements.
That means finding one weekend a year to clean the log siding from end to end. If you are using a good wood finish, simply rinsing it with your hose should be enough.
As you do so, be sure to check for cracks, especially in wooden log sidings, if you find one that seems too significant, replace that particular piece.
It’s also necessary to apply a good UV coat to protect the log siding from the sun, remember to not wait until it has worn out to reapply it.
Conclusion
Log siding is an amazing and cost-effective way to transform your house, cabin or mobile home into a beautiful and rustic abode.
Before you go about with installing log siding, there are several factors to take into consideration, including its type, cost, installation process, projected duration of your renovation project, and more.
However, there is a lot of information in this article that will allow you to start planning your log siding project, today!
Let us know in the comments: have you bought any log siding accessories? If so, what kind, and how have they helped you with your log siding tasks?
About the author
Archie was a builder for more than 40 years. Mainly after his retirement the enthusiastic electrical works in garden and writes for a blog Homemakerguide.com to keep himself occupied. His many years of experience can get you the right tool reviews whether it is a drill, welding machine or so. An impressive fact to note about him is that almost everything in his house is a representation of his skills made by his hands.
